Benefits

Obstacles

Teacher efficacy to implement a student-led, emergent, & interdisciplinary curriculum

Student idealism regarding issues as being easy and straight-forward was tested

Establishment of a supportive/trusting classroom community = safety in airing diverse and sometimes unpopular perspectives

Issues chosen by students were often sensitive with strong conflicting viewpoints

Students interested, attentive, & intrinsically motivated in memorable, self-directed work worth doing

Teacher could not thoroughly predict or control the outcome of the presentations & interactive discussions/debates

Students engaged in critical thinking surrounding diverse perspectives & brainstorming viable solutions to authentic, real-world issues―helps prepare students for 21^st-century life, work, and democratic citizenship

Thinking on her feet, clarification scaffolding was required by the teacher

Discussions prompted students to challenge & sometimes alter their thinking